Halloween is Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, and little goblins and ghosts will be going door to door trick-or-treating in communities throughout Kane County. Please review the following trick-or-treat times in your community, and scroll down to read the safety tips below the links, to help make the occasion safe and enjoyable for all.

Some communities haven’t yet put out news releases and social media posts on trick-or-treat hours for 2017, so we’ll update this post as they become available. Bookmark this article and visit it often.

Once again, the posted Halloween trick-or-treat hours have changed for a few Kane County communities in 2017, so it’s a good idea to click on the links below for more information.

Below the list are Halloween Safety Tips and other Halloween-related information sent out by Kane County communities.

Editor’s Note: To any and all communities: If you see anything in this article that is incorrect or needs updating, please email Rick Nagel at kanecountyconnects@gmail.com.

Aurora

Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Aurora

As a complement to the City of Aurora’s regular Trick-Or-Treat, families can also visit downtown Aurora to get a jump start on the Halloween fun.

Aurora Downtown, an organization of downtown business and property owners, is hosting Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Aurora. Downtown businesses, restaurants, and museums welcome costumed visitors on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The free event includes trick-or-treating in the downtown business district, as well as a bat scavenger hunt; red paper bats will be placed outside throughout downtown. A welcome table will be set up during the afternoon at David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Pl. See their web site for a list of participating downtown businesses.

Please make sure you have a SCARY but a SAFE Halloween!

Aurora police ask you and your little goblins to adhere to Aurora’s official trick-or-treat hours, which are 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. If you’re accompanying your little ones, try and go out earlier when it still is light outside.

Other safety tips:

Make sure costumes, wigs and accessories are flame resistant.

Be sure to carry a flashlight; and costumes should be bright or reflective so children can see and be seen. Putting reflective tape on costumes is another option.

Masks, costumes and shoes should be well-fitting to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.

Children should stay on sidewalks, look both ways before crossing streets and use established crosswalks wherever possible.

Props like swords, knives and other objects should be made of soft or flexible material.

Only visit homes with a front porch light on; and kids should only enter homes if they’re with a trusted adult. Otherwise, Trick-or-Treaters should stay outside.

Bring a cell phone while trick-or-treating in case of an emergency.

Only factory-wrapped treats should be eaten; homemade treats should be avoided unless the cook is well-known to the trick-or-treater or their family.

Carpentersville

Carpentersville Halloween Safety Tips

The Carpentersville Police Department recognizes that Halloween is one of the most enjoyable days of the year for children, but parents should be aware of the potential risks that can affect children who are not supervised properly. Trick-or-treaters should always travel in groups and have adult supervision to ensure that the only scary experiences children have are those associated with the spirit of Halloween. It is especially important for parents to adhere to a few safety rules for their children when they are trick-or-treating.

Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls, and other bumps in the night.

Make sure kids wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes.

Try face paint instead of a mask. Masks can be hot and uncomfortable, and they canobstruct a child’s vision.

If it’s dark, make sure someone has a flashlight.

Limit “trick-or-treating” to the housing area where they live or are familiar with.

Make sure that fake knives, swords, and guns are made from cardboard or other flexiblematerials to avoid accidental injury or worse, have them mistaken for the real thing!

Do not go inside anyone’s home. Remain on the porch at all times.

Keep a safe distance from moving cars.

Cross only at street corners, never between parked cars, and look in all directions beforecrossing the street.

Halloween treats should only be consumed if they are packaged appropriately. Parents can help protect their children by making sure that treats are wrapped in their original, unbroken packages. If there is evidence that any Halloween treats have been tampered with, please dial 9-1-1 and report it immediately.

The Carpentersville Police Department also reminds motorists to drive with an abundance of caution and travel at a reduced speed in residential areas during trick-or-treating hours. Many children and adults will be walking through residential areas, and depending on the availability of sidewalks, may be near or on the roadway. Also, be aware of children inadvertently darting across the street in the path of vehicles.

Elburn

This year, the village of Elburn has set the trick-or-treat hours to be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2017.

“We encourage a parent or other responsible adult to accompany all young trick-or-treaters along their routes,” the village says on its Facebook page. “It is a good idea to carry a flashlight also during those after dark times and for all costumes to allow for good vision so that it is easy to see any approaching cars while crossing streets. Be sure to cross streets at crosswalks and be aware of cars pulling into and out of driveways, as well.”

Geneva

GENEVA ANNOUNCES HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREAT HOURS

Geneva children and parents are encouraged to trick-or-treat in their neighborhoods between the City’s recommended Halloween hours of 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Families can get a jump start on their candy collection as downtown merchants offer free Halloween treats from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Look for trick-or-treat signs in store windows for participating businesses.

The Geneva Police Department wants all little superheroes, princesses and scary monsters to have a fun and safe Halloween experience this year. Parents should take an active role in this process by making sure their families follow these safety tips:

Wear light-colored clothing or some type of reflective material for better visibility.

Ensure costumes fit and are worn in a manner that prevents tripping.

If children wear masks, make sure their vision is not compromised.

Small children should always be accompanied by an adult.

Older children should stick to familiar neighborhoods and travel in groups.

Remind children to never go inside someone’s home when trick-or-treating.

Go out in the daylight when possible and carry a flashlight for use if out after dark.

Only give and accept wrapped candy. Examine all candy before allowing children to eat it.

Carrying hard props such as swords and daggers should be substituted with soft foam rubber materials.

Make sure your child watches for traffic and understands basic traffic/pedestrian rules such as using crosswalks.

The Geneva Police Department hopes everyone has an enjoyable Halloween.

Montgomery

Montgomery Police Department Halloween Safety Event

The Montgomery Police Department cordially invites the public to the fourth annual FREE Halloween Safety Event that will be held at the police department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017.

This is a family friendly event that offers positive interactions with other community members and police department staff. Children will receive safety tips, prizes, and treats along with fun and games. Costume contests will be every hour and are one of the many highlights of our event. Please join us for a scary good time.

The cost of this event is free to the public. For additional information contact Sgt. Liz Palko #59 at palko@ci.montgomery.il.us or 331-212-9054

Pingree Grove

Official Trick or Treating Hours and Halloween Safety Tips

Pingree Grove has established official trick or treating hours for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. During these hours, parents, guardians or adult sponsors of trick or treaters, are asked to chaperone them safely through village neighborhoods.

Motorists traveling on local streets are to obey all traffic laws and be alert for trick or treaters. Parents/guardians are asked to be sure to discuss trick or treat safety with children under their care.

Choose light colored costumes or add reflective tape or reflectors so they are visible.

Examine all candy before allowing children to eat it.

“Drivers should be especially observant and watch for children out walking,” says Cmdr. Erik Mahan. “All residents are encouraged to turn on outside lights for the safety of the trick-or-treaters. Thanks for helping us make this a safe and fun-filled Halloween.”